Standing Trial

Zan kept his temper and refused to react. When he heard that the soldiers had come to arrest him, he anticipated such an outrageous accusation. "I am not guilty of either crime. And I do not believe that this is how the justice system was set up to work." Under Aurora's mother Zephyra, the courts were fashioned to require a waiting time between an accusation and trial so evidence could be gathered. Zephyra had done this to give herself time to hide the indiscretions of herself or her subordinates, but among the general public the time helped for justice to prevail. Having charges brought and a trial in the same day was unheard of.

"This is most unusual," Birger agreed.

The rest of the Council also seemed uncomfortable. They, too, knew the law. Cafer, on the other hand, was unperturbed. "Perhaps under the old Empresses that was the law, but we have a new ruler. What do you say, future Emperor Alaron?"

The boy arched his back, looking every inch a ruler already. H